I was talking to a friend today while driving to Trader Joe’s, and of course we were bemoaning the tension of waiting for indictments in the Mueller cases — specifically as it relates to the DoJ guidelines about not affecting elections. “I think we’ll hear some indictments in the next ten days,” I said.
As it turns out, yes and no. A few hours later, Manafort was found guilty on eight charges, Cohen pleads guilty to campaign finance violations that implicate Trump, and Rep. Duncan Hunter (one of Trump’s earliest supporters) is indicted for using campaign funds for personal expenses.
Oh, and Omarosa is releasing another tape on Hardball tonight.
As a legal matter, this is a complete and total defeat for Manafort. He will get the same sentence that he would have received if he was convicted on all 18 counts.
— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) August 21, 2018
The number of counts of conviction doesn’t impact federal sentencing.
BREAKING: Justice Department indicts Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-California), an early Trump supporter, for illegal use of campaign money. pic.twitter.com/s7Ctw2NMcI
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) August 21, 2018
Michael Cohen in a courtroom in SDNY, under oath, declared that the President directed him to commit a federal crime.
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) August 21, 2018
Remember, Mueller and a Democratic House can now give Michael Cohen immunity without fear of jeopardizing any prosecution, since he's already pleaded guilty. That means Cohen would have to testify in grand jury and before Congress in public. We will hear more from Cohen.
— Jeffrey Toobin (@JeffreyToobin) August 21, 2018
My message to the president: you better not talk about pardons for Michael Cohen or Paul Manafort tonight, or anytime in the future.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 21, 2018
